National Trust and Sydney locals oppose looming developments at Central Station

By AMBER GRIFFIN

Another addition to the state government’s development overhaul around Central Station in Sydney’s CBD has been given a green light, prompting questions over the impacts on the area’s development.

Central Place Sydney, a new skyscraper adding 130,000 square metres of commercial space to the government’s $3 billion ‘Tech Central” initiative, was recently approved by the City of Sydney Council.

The multibillion-dollar plans outline that the NSW government’s future ‘Tech Central’ will eventually cover six local areas including Haymarket, Surry Hills, Ultimo, Redfern, Chippendale, and Eveleigh. The development’s expansion from the Central Station area to outer suburbs will skyrocket expenditure from $3 billion to approximately $12 billion.

National Trust speaks out

The National Trust has spoken out against another skyscraper included in the Central Precinct developments. The National Trust is opposing the plans that will demolish part of a historic postal building near Sydney’s Central Station to develop a 45-storey commercial tower. 

The National Trust’s objection to developer TOGA Group’s $383 million plans to build above the historic postal building couldn’t be stronger. The leading conservation organisations state that the development would cause “irreversible, detrimental impact” to Central Station and Sydney’s heritage. 

Recognising the consequences and impact of the plans that would build over the heritage-listed site, The National Trust’s NSW conservation director, David Burdon, wrote to organisations and members of the public for “help in saving the iconic Sydney Central station”. 

“If this proposal is accepted in its current form … then the entire rationale and value of heritage listing in NSW must seriously be reconsidered,” Burdon said. 

Burdon stated that the National Trust was not entirely opposed to the redevelopment of Central Station, but that they believe the plans can be improved.  

“There are many ways it can and should be improved, including helping to heal the enormous scar between Surry Hills and Ultimo, and making it a safe and enjoyable place for all who visit or pass through,” he said. 

Sydney Council has approved ‘Central Place Sydney’, just metres away from the TOGA development over the post office, after previously condemning the state government’s secret sell-off of large blocks of land surrounding in Redfern, Eveleigh and Newtown.

While council has been supportive and involved of the plans for developments around Central Station for years, the secrecy and lack of community consultation has raised flags for Labor Councillor Linda Scott.

“This isn’t good enough” Councillor Scott calls for a more comprehensive planning process 

Cr Scott said community member’s have spoken up about a lack of meaningful consultation surrounding the large developments at Central Station.

“Communities tell me they feel increasingly removed from City and State Government planning processes” Cr Scott said. 

While the concerns don’t materialise in direct opposition to developments, even high-density developments, a loss of local voices in the decision making process is being noticed by community members.

Redfern and Eveleigh supporting community group ‘REDWatch’ told City Hub that the group is not opposed to high-rise and increased density in the inner city, as long as it goes along the services and amenities needed for the increase in people, and is sympathetic to the surrounding community. 

“10+ storey buildings opposing a conservation area is not a good start” REDWatch Spokesperson Geoffrey Turnbull said. 

“Everyone admits the Central Station site needs to get developed in some form the question is what and how it fits with the surrounding area – and this discussion should not just involve the government landowner.”

Cr Scott said that the Central developments represent a “lost opportunity to enhance public trust”, as well as a loss of “transparency” in the planning process. 

“Just as the State Government has an obligation to return planning powers ripped from councillors, so too does the Lord Mayor have an obligation to increase community engagement in future major developments.” 

Central Place a “benchmark in sustainability”: Project Director

The project director for ‘Central Place’ Sydney, Kimberley Jackson, stated that the development has been designed to create a place “where work and lifestyle can blend seamlessly”.

“Central Place Sydney will set the benchmark in sustainability for commercial developments of this scale in Australia,” Jackson stated.

Designed by architects ‘Fender Katsalidis’ and ‘Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’ (SOM), the artist impressions of the future Sydney development appear to look modern and green, but residents living within radius of the towers are concerned about the ‘eye sore’ and a potential overdevelopment of a landmark Sydney location.